as I get out of bed.'
'It's rather grim.'
'Just tell me, please. All the details you have.'
She was dressed in a thick beige two-piece trouser suit with a polo neck. He thought she looked very smart. Her blue eyes were fixed on him and she stopped eating as he recounted what he had learned from Cord Dillon. There was still no one else in the dining room as he concluded and his bacon and eggs had just been put before him.
'I'm sorry,' he said, 'but there seems little doubt that it was cold-blooded murder. And it was covered up by Washington. Possibly on the orders of the mysterious Charlie. I must have given you a shock.'
'You haven't. It just confirms finally what I suspected. I wish I knew who Charlie was,' she said vehemently. 'I have heard his name mentioned just once at the Embassy!
'Who mentioned it?'
'A very unpleasant-looking man. Someone told me he was called Jake Ronstadt. I was walking along a corridor in rubber-soled shoes when he came out of a room with another man. I heard him say, 'I told you. First I have to check it out with Charlie.' Out of the corner of my eye I saw him stare at me but I kept on walking.'
'Any idea at all who he was referring to?'
'None at all. It's the only time I've heard the name. What made me remember it was the venomous look Ronstadt gave me as I passed him.'
'Well, have you any idea what Ronstadt's job is?'
'None at all. He was pointed out to me by a friend when we were in the Embassy canteen. My friend told me to keep well away from him. She'd heard he was dangerous. That's all I know about him.'
'I think I've upset you. You haven't eaten a thing since I started talking.'
'Don't worry, Alec.' She gave him a radiant smile. 'It's a kind of relief to know my suspicions were justified.' She began eating again. 'And thank you very much for finding out what really happened to them. I was very fond of my parents, especially of my father.'
'Does Sharon know I'm here?'
'No. I didn't even know until you walked in to the dining room. She doesn't know you exist. I'll keep it that way.'
'Please do. Has she any idea that Tweed is staying here?'
'Oh, yes. She mentioned to me she'd seen him arrive with Robert Newman.'
'Oh, of course. Tweed told me she'd been in the lobby when he arrived. Have you any idea how long Sharon plans to stay here?' Marler asked casually.
'None at all. I get on very well with her, but she's rather reserved. Very English, is how she strikes me. I hope you'll excuse me, I have to go now, get some work done. Maybe, if you're free one evening, we could have dinner together outside the hotel?'
'That is something I'd look forward to. Trouble is I'm pretty busy myself. Working on an investigation job with Tweed. If I get the chance I'll certainly contact you.'
'It's been lovely talking to you.' She took out a small notepad and scribbled on it, then tore out the sheet and handed it to him. 'That's my room number. I really do have to dash now…'
Marler was facing the exit. As Denise reached the door Tweed appeared on the other side, opened it for her. He smiled and Marler heard what he said.
'Good morning.'
He had spoken rather formally, as though his only contact with her had been when she had come to his office. Marler smiled to himself, recalling how he had seen Tweed leaving her flat in Belgrave Square.
'Newman will be joining us in a minute,' Tweed said as he sat down opposite Marler. 'Paula's coming too.' He lowered his voice. 'Sorry I've been awhile. Beck paid me a quick visit. Armed with the photos, he'd sent a couple of his men in a car to watch the Euler. Early this morning two of the thugs came out, got into a car and drove off. Beck's men followed them to the border. They drove on through the checkpoint along the autobahn into Germany.'
'Which leads to where?'
'A small town called Breisach, if you turn left off Autobahn 5. On the other hand, if you turn right you arrive in Freiburg.' He paused. 'That's the route into the Black Forest.'
'Pity we couldn't have followed them. But the tracking signal is under Ronstadt's car. You could be right about the Black Forest. Maybe we ought to take turns in driving up close to the Euler, standing watch on Ronstadt's car. Newman and I would be the best bet, taking pre-arranged watches.'
'I don't think so.' Tweed shook his head. He looked up. Paula and Newman had entered the restaurant, came to join them. 'I've something to tell you while this place is quiet…'
Tweed then repeated what he'd told Marler about Beck's visit to him. He also told them about Marler's suggestion, that he had turned it down.
'Why?' asked Paula. 'If we're not careful we'll lose Ronstadt. Then we have no way of locating their base.'
'Yes, we have. Beck is very clever. He gave me this.' He took from his pocket a small mobile phone of a type Paula had never seen before. 'I vetoed Marler's suggestion because I'm sure we need a large force when we do locate that base. All of us, in fact.'
`So how on earth do we manage that?' Paula persisted.
'I said Beck was clever. He'd heard about the bomb outrages in London and he takes as savage a view of them as I do. He has arranged for a succession of his own men – in unmarked cars – to watch the Euler. The ones on duty will carry a mobile like this one. It's specially coded and can't be intercepted. The moment Ronstadt leaves in his car they'll inform Beck, who will immediately inform me.'
'We might still miss Ronstadt,' Paula objected.
'Wait, please, until I finish. If Ronstadt takes the same route as his two thugs did earlier, he'll have to pass through the checkpoint on the Swiss side before you drive through on to Autobahn 5. Beck will instantly phone the officer in charge of the checkpoint, giving him the number of the Citroen. He will stop Ronstadt.'
'Stop him? What's the good of that?' Paula wondered.
'You really are in an argumentative mood this morning,' Tweed chided her.
'Very sorry. Please continue.'
'As I said; the officer will stop Ronstadt at the checkpoint. He will take his time searching the car, explaining that they conduct random searches for drugs. Briefly, he will delay him until we arrive. You and I, Paula, have to be in the lead car. I will be driving. As we approach the checkpoint you take out a cigarette and make a big fuss of lighting it. The checkpoint officer has a clear description of both of us – given to him by Beck.'
'This is clever of Beck,' Paula agreed. 'We'll have to stay out of sight of Ronstadt – that villain met both of us briefly at Goodfellows.'
'I think I can manage that. Marler, you'll follow in your car. Bob, you bring up the rear in your car. I wish Butler and Nield were with us. Butler could have travelled with Marler while Nield came with Bob…' He paused briefly. 'This investigation is going to take longer than I'd expected,' he said in a louder voice, sitting erect in his chair.
Paula glanced over her shoulder. Sharon Mandeville had entered the dining room. She headed straight for their table.
'I thought I could rely on you, Tweed, she said in a quiet voice. 'Yesterday we were going to have drinks.'
'I'm so very sorry, Sharon,' Tweed responded, standing up. 'I was caught up in a business meeting I couldn't get away from.'
'You're forgiven. Thank you, Bob. Or am I interrupting?'
Newman had jumped up, brought her a chair which he placed next to Tweed's. When Sharon sat down she was facing Paula.
'I feel out-gunned,' Sharon said with a smile. 'So many men.'
'I'm here,' Paula reminded her. 'I'll give you moral support.'
'That's very sweet of you.'
'You look dressed magnificently,' said Newman. 'Ready to set the world on fire.'
